Tips on how to be a better grandparent

Grand parenting comes with all sorts of benefits for both you and your grandchildren. Also grandparents, play many important roles in the lives of their grandchildren.

A survey of American families found that most grandparents fix meals and provide financial support to their grandchildren.

However, grand parenting can go far beyond these material contribu­tions. From words of wisdom to play to emotional support, as a grand­parent you have lots to offer the younger generations in your family.

It all starts with fostering a healthy relationship with your grandchildren, by dedicating time and effort to better connect with your family.

1. Be clear about what role you want to have in your grand­child’s life. Let them know how often you want to babysit, for example, or whether you’d like to be included in events such as school functions.

2. Talk with parents about their rules. Consistency is import­ant for kids, so know the behaviour limits your grandchild has to follow at home and maintain those rules when they are with you.

3. Enforce any agreed upon punishment for bad behaviour, whether it’s a “time out” or loss of privileges, for example.

4. Babyproof your home to en­sure safety for infants and toddlers. Since it’s probably been a number of years since you had young chil­dren in your home, check with your grandchild’s parents about ways to babyproof your home, so they’re comfortable leaving the child with you.

5. Carve out one-on-one time. On occasion, spend time with in­dividual grandchildren. It will give you an opportunity to bond, without competition, with one grandchild at a time.

6. See the sights. Concerts and plays, movies, science centres and museums, parks, or walks in the neighborhood provide opportunities to be together and to exchange ideas and opinions.

7. Play games. Board and card games are a unique opportunity to watch kids in action and to see how they operate in the world. Games also allow you to help your grand­child learn to be a good sport and play fairly.

8. Communicate family histo­ry. Tell stories about games or trips you shared when the grandchild’s parents were young. This is a great way to weave a ‘tapestry’ of shared experiences for the whole family.